The Famundo Blog

Vtirtual Parenting (at least you don't have to pay for college)

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Thu, 12 Oct 2006 22:54:10 GMT

CNETNews reports on a new online parenting game, Eccky, which is similar to NeoPets and really catching on.

A Dutch online game called “Eccky” lets would-be parents find each other, create a virtual baby based on their personal characteristics, and then raise the child with the use of the Web, MSN instant messaging and a cell phone. Parents can feed their virtual kid, play games like chess with “Eccky,” or send the child to an online babysitter—racking up points for raising a healthy, happy adult in a matter of six days, when the game session officially ends.

Read the entire article here.

Posted in Technology | Tags games, technology | no comments | no trackbacks

A must for all bloggers

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Fri, 06 Oct 2006 01:12:00 GMT

Did you ever wonder whether it was email or e-mail? Web site or website?

The Chicago Manual of Style, the bible of the publishing and research community is now available on your desktop.

It’s completely searchable and pretty easy to use, providing answers to your style and editing questions.

Here is their answer regarding web site/website.

It seems they also prefer e-mail.

Posted in Technology | Tags blogs | no comments | no trackbacks

"Family-Friendly" Phone from Disney

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Wed, 16 Aug 2006 19:36:02 GMT

Walter Mossberg has a review on Disney Mobile, Disney’s new mobile phnoe company and their “family-friendly” phones in today’s Wall Street Journal.

Generally, Mossberg give it a favorable review.

“Disney Mobile is good news for parents who have had a hard time cracking the whip on cellphone usage and bad news for kids who sneak calls at all hours of the night or who run up their phone bills with text messaging. If you’re looking for a way to keep better tabs on your family’s cellphone usage, this system works well.”

Read the whole article on Mossberg’s web site, The Mossberg Solution.

Posted in Parenting, Setting Limits, Technology | no comments | no trackbacks

"Family-Friendly" Phone from Disney

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Wed, 16 Aug 2006 19:36:02 GMT

Walter Mossberg has a review on Disney Mobile, Disney’s new mobile phnoe company and their “family-friendly” phones in today’s Wall Street Journal.

Generally, Mossberg give it a favorable review.

“Disney Mobile is good news for parents who have had a hard time cracking the whip on cellphone usage and bad news for kids who sneak calls at all hours of the night or who run up their phone bills with text messaging. If you’re looking for a way to keep better tabs on your family’s cellphone usage, this system works well.”

Read the whole article on Mossberg’s web site, The Mossberg Solution.

Posted in Parenting, Setting Limits, Technology | no comments | no trackbacks

Digital Kids

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:20:19 GMT

This is great news! Stefanie Olsen at CNET News.com has started a new blog called Digital Kids

Technology is changing so quickly and kids seem to know about these changes before we do. This looks like it will be a great resource.

Posted in Technology | no comments | no trackbacks

Famudo now supports Safari

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Mon, 17 Jul 2006 13:45:39 GMT

Since there are many of our users that are using Macs, we have spent some time making sure Famundo is compatible with Safari.

Although, Mac users have the ability to use Famundo with either FireFox or Netscape, we felt it important to support Apple’s native browser.

I’m pleased to announce that we are now 99% Safari compatible. The only issue we are still having is dragging and dropping of events in the calendar.

This will be resolved in our next release, along with many more enhancements.

Posted in Famundo, Technology | no comments | no trackbacks

Google Wins Search Rank Case

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Mon, 17 Jul 2006 02:05:29 GMT

According to an article in Searchviews.com, Google wins the case that was filed against it by Kinderstart.

Posted in Technology | no comments | no trackbacks

Common Sense, Fox, and PTA to Keep Kids Internet Safe and Smart

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Sat, 15 Jul 2006 02:26:00 GMT

Common Sense Media, Fox Interactive Media, and the National PTA are running a new campaign aimed at keeping kids internet safe and smart.

“This week, Common Sense Media, the National PTA, and Fox Interactive Media inaugurate a major national Internet safety campaign designed to reach millions of parents. The goal is to help parents keep their kids Internet safe and smart.”

Fox Interactive Media plans to run an ad starring Kiefer Sutherland of the hit TV show 24.

Posted in Internet Safety, Parenting, Family Life, Technology | no comments | no trackbacks

Any thoughts about the whole KinderStart bouhahah?

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Sat, 15 Jul 2006 01:20:27 GMT

Anyone have any thoughts on the legal issues between KinderStart and Google?

KinderStart, as you may know, is a search engine dedicated to children, parenting and other family issues, whi has file a complaint against Google for their low search rankings.

“The parenting site alleges that Google engaged in anticompetitive behavior in violation of antitrust laws by removing a competitor from its top search pages in order to maintain its dominance in the search market. During his questioning of the parties, the issue of antitrust appeared to resonate with the judge, who indicated he understood the point KinderStart was trying to make.”

To be honest, I really haven’t looked into this issue very much. Would love to get reader’s thoughts on this.

Posted in Family Life, Technology | no comments | no trackbacks

Some of us were once hippies

Posted by Richard Kuhlenschmidt Mon, 10 Jul 2006 01:33:00 GMT

This was a real deja vu for me. I read Victor Papanek’s 1973-4 “Nomadic Furniture” book about 20 years ago and had totally forgotten the name of the book and the author’s name. I mean it is kind of a hippie, alternative lifestyle kind of book, but it had a lot of cool ideas.

DaddyTypes has an article which talks about the book and the 14-or so page section on Children, Babies & Small Kids that includes spreads on used tire playgrounds and scary-looking swinging contraptions.

It’s a good read.

Posted in Family Life, Technology | no comments | no trackbacks